The sea wind howled as the massive pirate ship cut through the azure waves. Kaidou stood at the center of the deck, his towering figure like an unshakable mountain. He scanned his eagerly awaiting subordinates before him, a ferocious grin curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Alright, brats! This ship isn't for your leisure. Get moving now—training begins!" Kaidou's voice thundered across the deck like a storm, startling the seagulls perched on the mast into frantic flight.
Enel, who had been daydreaming about encountering the Tontatta Tribe on Green Bit, immediately slumped in disappointment. "Huh? Captain, we have to train even on the ship?" His golden earrings swayed with his exaggerated expression, glinting sharply in the sunlight. He had just been imagining what those miniature Tontatta Tribe members might look like—would they be as adorable as the legendary fairies?
The others also showed reluctant expressions. Kawamatsu touched his Samurai Sword, the family heirloom that hadn't been properly maintained in a long time. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, the old partners, exchanged resigned glances—they had originally planned to catch up during the voyage. Sebastian silently set down the meteor hammer in his hands, the newly forged weapon yet to be tested.
"Nonsense!" Kaidou grabbed the Hassaikai at his waist, the heavy Spiked Club slamming into the deck and leaving a deep dent, splinters flying everywhere. "I brought you out for two reasons: first, to show you the New World and broaden your horizons, and second, to train properly under my watchful eye!"
He glared specifically at Enel. "Especially you! Don't think you can slack off just because you've developed Lightning Body Tempering." At this mention, a flicker of admiration passed through Kaidou's eyes. In his previous life, he had read about Lightning Body Tempering in One Piece fanfiction, but he never expected this kid to actually figure it out. However, as captain, he wouldn't show this appreciation—instead, he deliberately kept a stern face.
"BAM!" Kaidou slammed the Hassaikai heavily onto the deck, making the entire ship shudder. "Sebastian, Enel, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi—run ten thousand laps around the ship right now! If you're slow..." He grinned menacingly and brandished the Spiked Club. "Sebastian, go put on that two-ton weight from the training room before running."
Everyone immediately fell silent. Sebastian wordlessly headed toward the ship's cabin, his heavy footsteps echoing across the deck. Soon, he emerged carrying a massive metal block, each step leaving deep imprints in the wooden deck, his back already soaked with sweat.
The training had begun.
The five formed a line and started running laps around the not-so-spacious deck.
Kaidou sat by the ship's railing, took a large swig from his beloved gourd of liquor, his sharp gaze fixed on his training subordinates. The sea breeze ruffled his purple hair as sunlight danced across his bronze skin.
"Too slow!" he suddenly roared, grabbing his Spiked Club and swinging it at Nekomamushi who was lagging behind. The cat mink nimbly rolled away, but the wind from Kaidou's strike still made his fur stand on end, with several tufts floating down onto the deck.
"That's more like it!" Kaidou laughed heartily before taking another swig of liquor, the liquid dripping down his beard. "Remember, in the New World, speed means survival!"
After they finished running, before anyone could rest, Kaidou immediately declared: "Alright, warm-up's over. Now attack me with everything you've got. Of course, to train your endurance, I'll be fighting back too." As he spoke, Kaidou casually swung his Hassaikai through the air, creating gusts of wind that forced everyone back several steps, nearly making them crash into the ship's railing.
"Have mercy, Captain!" they all cried out.
Enel was already panting heavily, his golden earrings having lost their luster; Kawamatsu's samurai attire was soaked with sweat; Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had to support each other just to stand steady; Sebastian had collapsed to his knees, completely exhausted from carrying two tons of weight.
Unfortunately, their pleas fell on deaf ears as they desperately dodged Kaidou's Spiked Club. The Hassaikai cut through the air with terrifying whistles, each swing carrying destructive force.
Enel barely managed to release a lightning bolt, but Kaidou casually swatted it away; Kawamatsu's slashes couldn't even scratch Kaidou's skin; Inuarashi and Nekomamushi's combined attack was shattered by a single club swing; Sebastian's meteor hammer was caught by Kaidou, who then flung both man and weapon aside.
"Too weak!" Kaidou bellowed, "Attacks of this level can't affect me even if I don't defend!" Battle intent burned in his eyes. "Again!"
And so, under Kaidou's strict supervision, the pirate ship sailed steadily toward Dressrosa, filled with alternating cries of pain and the whooshing sounds of the Spiked Club. The setting sun dyed the entire ship blood-red, with sweat on the deck reflecting the final rays of light. No one noticed that beneath Kaidou's stern exterior, as he watched his subordinates giving their all, the corners of his mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible smile.
The training continued until nightfall, when everyone had collapsed onto the deck, and only then did Kaidou nod in satisfaction.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone go eat!" Kaidou said as he put away his Spiked Club.
"Huff, huff! Finally, it's finally over," Enel gasped from where he lay on the deck. "Bring me the food, now!"
"Yes, food, meat, I want meat," Sebastian, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi all chimed in.
The nearby pirates who had been waiting immediately hurried over carrying large basins of Sea Beast Meat. Upon seeing the meat, everyone grabbed pieces and began eating voraciously.
"Wororororo." Kaidou laughed heartily at the sight, then accepted the food respectfully offered by a nearby pirate and began eating as well.
Night fell, with starlight sprinkling across the calm sea. The well-fed crew members lay scattered across the deck, too exhausted to even move a finger. Kaidou stood alone at the ship's bow, gazing at the distant horizon, his gourd glowing faintly in the moonlight.
"Captain..." Enel called out weakly, "Can we... take a break tomorrow..."
Kaidou took a swig of liquor without turning his head: "Don't even think about it! Training starts promptly at seven tomorrow morning!"
A chorus of miserable groans immediately erupted across the deck. Yet amidst these lamentations, there lingered faint traces of laughter. Though the training was brutal, everyone understood that only through such rigorous drills could they survive in the New World.
The sea wind continued to howl as the massive pirate ship cut through the waves on the azure ocean. Kaidou's figure appeared particularly imposing under the moonlight, like an unshakable mountain.